Monthly Archives: September 2010

Kelseyville man arrested in hit-and-run crash that killed a Lake County restaurateur
Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 9:45 a.m.
A Kelseyville man has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that took the life of a Lake County restaurateur last week. Thirty year old James Walter Nightingale turned himself in to authorities late Wednesday afternoon after his attorney contacted the CHP to arrange his surrender in connection with Friday’s death of Zino Mezoui. Authorities believe Nightingale, a general contractor, was at the wheel of a blue Chevrolet Suburban when it pulled onto Highway 29 near Lower Lake in front of Mezoui’s motorcycle, causing Friday’s collision. Nightingale was booked late Wednesday night into the Lake County Jail for suspicion of felony manslaughter with gross negligence and felony hit and run resulting in death or injury.

Gov vetoes ‘California stop’ still

There’ll be no breaks for drivers who use the beloved but illegal “California stop.” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has voted legislation that would have reduced the fine for violations involving turning right on a red light from $100 to $35. Hill’s measure would have reduced the “California stop” fine to what it was in 1997 — $35. But Schwarzenegger said in his veto message that “a driver running a red light, whether they are traveling straight, or turning right, makes a very dangerous traffic movement that endangers the nearby motoring public, bicyclists and pedestrians.”

Round Valley marijuana garden raids net 11,000 plants, 32 arrests
Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 9:01 a.m.
Continuing raids on illicit pot gardens at the edge of Mendocino County’s remote Round Valley yielded 32 more arrests Wednesday, including seven Seattle residents and eight from the state of New York apparently brought in to tend the grows: The arrests and seizures of more than 11,000 plants – some as tall as 15 feet — were made at three addresses on Eel River Ranch Road southeast of Covelo. Six firearms, 2,107 pounds of processed marijuana and cash totaling $12,485 also were seized. It was the second day of raids conducted by drug agents that were continuing their sweep Thursday and, possibly, Friday. A Sheriffs spokeman noted the number on non-locals arrested is evidence of how news of money-making opportunities spreads across the country by word of mouth, bringing folks from out-of-state to pot-growing country.

Rate board denies Postal Service price hike plea
Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 8:36 a.m.
WASHINGTON — The independent panel that oversees the U.S. Postal Service has denied the agency’s request to increase the cost of mailing a letter by 2 cents – to 46 cents. The Postal Regulatory Commission announced its decision rejecting the requested price hike.. In July, the Postal Service proposed raising first-class postage from 44 cents to 46 cents as part of a strategy for dealing with a worsening financial crisis. The Postal Service lost $3.8 billion last year, and the agency has been seeking other rate increases as well, including higher fees for periodicals, post cards and parcels.
The new rates would have taken effect next Jan. 2.

HENDERSON, Nev. — Tony Curtis shaped himself from a 1950s movie heartthrob into a respected actor, showing a determined streak that served him well in such films as “Sweet Smell of Success,” ”The Defiant Ones” and “Some Like It Hot.
The Oscar-nominated actor died at age 85 Wednesday evening of cardiac arrest at his home in the Las Vegas-area city of Henderson His first wife was actress Janet Leigh of “Psycho” fame; actress Jamie Lee Curtis is their daughter.

WASHINGTON — Fisher-Price is recalling more than 10 million tricycles, toys and high chairs over safety concerns. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said that two of the products being recalled involved injuries. In the recall of about 7 million Fisher-Price Trikes and Tough Trikes toddler tricycles, the agency is aware of 10 reports of children being hurt. Six of them required medical attention. The trikes — some of which feature popular characters like Dora the Explorer and Barbie — have a protruding plastic ignition key near the seat that children can strike, sit on or fall on, leading to injuries. Fisher-Price is also recalling more than 1 million Healthy Care, Easy Clean and Close to Me High Chairs, after 14 reports of problems.

Company gives up on getting Humboldt County pulp mill running
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 5:13 p.m.
SAMOA — A company that owns a Humboldt County pulp mill is giving up on plans to try get the mill operating again. The president of Freshwater Tissue Co. says the plant in Samoa, just outside Eureka, will remain closed for good because the company was unable to raise the money to restart the mill. Freshwater bought the plant from Evergreen Pulp Inc. in February 2009. Evergreen, had announced it was shutting down the mill in October 2008 as demand for paper, containerboard and housing materials declined.
Freshwater president Bob Simpson cited that federal regulations made it impossible to secure loans to get the plant operating again. Before it was closed the plant had employed more than 200 workers.

Pope Valley man critically injured in collision
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 4:57 p.m.
A 20-year-old Pope Valley man was in critical condition Wednesday after he drove into an oncoming traffic lane on Highway 29 in Lake County and crashed into two other vehicles. Christopher Hedge drifted into the oncoming lane just before 4:45 p.m. as he headed south on the highway north of Spruce Grove Road.. Hedge, who was driving a Mazda pickup, swiped the left side of a Ford pickup driven by Timothy Pilger of Clearlake. Hedge then collided with a Honda Civic driven by Vincent Jaking of Middletown. Hedge and Jaking were airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital by REACH helicopter. Officers were still investigating what led Hedge to enter the oncoming traffic lane.

Mendocino County authorities arrested 17 people Tuesday in a joint investigation of multiple illicit marijuana gardens in the Round Valley. The day-long raids netted 3,480 pot plants, 122 pounds of processed marijuana, six firearms and about $32,000 in cash in four areas. Aerial patrols spotted the gardens during earlier flights.Sheriff’s spokesman Kurt Smallcomb called it the new gold rush, except instead of the gold rush it’s the green rush.
At two locations on Zenia Road in north Covelo, agents destroyed 223 pot plants and seized 105 pounds of processed marijuana, two rifles, a handgun and $31,000 in cash. They arrested seven individuals on suspicion of marijuana cultivation and sales:
At two locations on Tabor Lane, agents destroyed 152 pot plants, seized about 10 pounds of processed marijuana, a rifle, two handguns and arrested four people on suspicion of marijuana cultivation: and sales.

Wyoming man douses himself in paint to avoid Taser

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A Cheyenne man who doused himself with white latex paint in hopes of avoiding a police Taser was hit with the stun gun anyway. The Taser chase happened Sept. 16, when Cheyenne police went to Brian Mattert’s house on a domestic violence call. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports that when police arrived, Mattert thought they’d use a Taser on him, so he hastily covered himself in paint and told officers that if they shot him with the stun gun, he’d die. Officers told him the paint wouldn’t affect the Taser’s capability. According to police, Mattert scuffled with officers and was hit with a Taser twice before officers handcuffed him. He faces several criminal charges. Police say the officers’ uniforms had to be cleaned.

Cable car bell-ringing contest hits sour note
.
SAN FRANCISCO — Cable car gripmen and conductors didn’t chime in during Muni’s bell-ringing contest. The cable car operators say the union told them to boycott Tuesday’s event, although Transportation Workers Union Local 250-A secretary-treasurer Walter Scott III denies the union had anything to do with it. The union has been fighting the city over cuts in overtime pay and an $80 a month fee for drivers to park their cars in city bus yards, among other things. Muni chief Nathaniel Ford says they found out Monday night that car cable operators would not participate. But Muni decided to hold the event anyway with three competitors who work for local media companies.
The contest usually includes two bell-ringing battles: one among media representatives and the other among the Muni workers.

County to cover retirees’ healthcare increase

Health insurance premiums will go up $88 in January for county retirees too young to qualify for Medicare, and the county will cover the per-employee, monthly increase until the retiree health care reserve is gone in March 2012. The Board of Supervisors made it so in a 4-1 vote Tuesday, with 2nd District Supervisor John McCowen dissenting. With that increase, County HR Director Teresia Haase said the county is expected to deplete the reserve at a rate of about $1,800 less monthly than projected in April.

Bear feeding defendant arraigned

The woman accused of feeding bears at her Laytonville home was arraigned Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge of feeding big game mammals. Lynne Gravier appeared in Fort Bragg’s Ten-Mile Branch of the Mendocino County Superior Court to hear the charge against her, and to request time to get an attorney, according to prosecutor Tim Stoen would likely seek a sentence of two years of summary probation instead of jail time, if she pleads no-contest. Game wardens served a search warrant on her property Sept. 24 and seized more than 500 pounds of grain she was feeding the bears. Her defenders said Gravier was only caring for animals that had been displaced by poachers and illegal marijuana growers. This is the second wildlife feeding complaint filed against Gravier in five years. Fish and game says Feeding large game animals is illegal and could lead to aggressive behavior

Hearing rescheduled in Hopland arson case

A preliminary hearing for the man accused of setting fire to the Hopland home he shared with his wife in an allegedly attempted murder-suicide has been rescheduled. Steven Phillip Chiriboga,is due back in court in October. . Chiriboga allegedly bailed out of the county jail around 4 a.m. Sept. 6 and went to his Mountain House Road home to wait for his wife, then allegedly set fire to it around 4 p.m. when she returned. He faces multiple charges. He is held at the Mendocino County Jail under $1.3 million bail.

Monday, September 27, 2010 at 8:22 p.m.
Lake County sheriff’s officials identified two people who died Friday in separate vehicle collisions, including a Kelseyville restaurateur killed by a hit and run driver. Officers are still searching for the driver of a blue Chevrolet Suburban van that pulled into Highway 29 outside Lower Lake in front of motorcyclist Zino Mezoui, proprietor of Zino’s Ristorante and Inn . Officers found the van at a home off Siegler Canyon Road. Mezoui was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.Twenty minutes later, a 52-year-old Lakeport woman was killed in a three-car collision. Kimberlee Westbay was heading west on Highway 20 when Anton Kloiber of Piercy drove across the double-yellow line and crashed into her pickup. He then collided with a second vehicle. Kloiber suffered minor injuries. Westbay was pronounced dead at the scene. Kloiber appeared to be on drugs at the time of the crash and was arrested.

Cakewalk: Thieves leave trail of snack wrappers
.
WICHITA, Kan. –
Wichita police say whoever stole a Little Debbie delivery truck left a trail of empty boxes and snack cake wrappers after abandoning the vehicle. The truck was taken around 4 a.m. Monday from outside a Walmart store. KFDI-AM reports the vehicle was driven into a shallow canal – but not before the thieves apparently pulled out some of the thousands of dollars worth of snacks. Police are still looking for the thieves Three wreckers pulled the truck from the canal. It’s been returned to its owner.

Knife removed from Brazil man’s head after 3 years

SAO PAULO – A man in northeastern Brazil is recovering after surgeons removed a 4-inch (10-centimeter) blade that had been stuck in his head for three years following a bar fight. Edeilson Nascimento, a 29-year-old tire repairman, tells reporters Friday he is feeling great after the three-hour surgery earlier this week. He is expected to be released from a hospital in the city of Recife next week. Nascimento says he got into a bar fight in 2007 and was attacked by assailants when he returned home. At the time, doctors only removed the knife handle, fearing that pulling the blade from his head would cause brain damage. But three years of intense headaches led Nascimento to take a chance on the surgery.

San Francisco proposing ban on Happy Meal toys

Recently, Santa Clara was working towards banning toys in Happy Meals over a certain calorie count. Well, San Francisco is following suit, and their first hearing was today. Basically, if a Happy Meal exceeds limits on calories, fat, sugar and salt, it will not have a toy with it. Those with healthier options will. The idea is that kids will be more inclined to choose the healthier option to be able to get the toy. “Supervisor Eric Mar, who proposed the ban, says the toys draw children to the unhealthy meals, which in turn can contribute to childhood obesity. But officials with the restaurant industry say the proposal is an example of government regulation going too far.”

Albion man arrested for brandishing nine inch knife
09/27/2010 09:25:08 AM PDT
Friday evening Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Albion Ridge Rd., regarding a brandishing of a knife incident. The victim Erik Bakarich, told deputies that he was confronted by the suspect, fiftyeight year old Michael Zuchowicz, while walking his canine in the on Albion Ridge Road. Bakarich said that Zuchowicz immediately exited his vehicle and approached him, allegedly pulling a 10 inch knife from his pants pocket and told him he was going to kill him and ran after Bakarich. Zuchowicz made stabbing motions at him with the knife while chasing him. .
Deputies made several ongoing attempts to locate Zuchowicz without success.on Sunday deputies spoke to Zuchowicz via telephone, who agreed to meet with deputies but he did not show. Later that night deputies located Zuchowicz on Highway 1, inside his vehicle and arrested him without incident. Zuchowicz was searched and an approximate nine inch bi-folding knife was found on his person.

SAN FRANCISCO — Lawyers for a death row inmate plan to ask a Marin County Superior Court judge on Monday to block his execution scheduled for Wednesday.
Judge Verna Adams is considering a recently filed lawsuit challenging the state’s new lethal injection regulations.
Albert Greenwood Brown’s attorneys will ask the judge to halt his execution. The time of the hearing hasn’t been set.
A federal judge on Friday refused to block the execution of Brown, who was sentenced to death in 1982 for the rape and murder of a 15-year-old Riverside County girl.
Brown’s attorneys have also asked the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to block the execution, which would be the first in the California in nearly five years.

Mendocino County parolee back in jail on gun charge
September 27, 2010 at 8:21 a.m.
A Willits man, just out of Mendocino County Jail, was back within hours after he got into a fight and fired a gun. Ethan Bauer is suspected of negligent discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and violating probation.
Bauer had been arguing with a woman inside of a pickup truck parked in Willits Friday afternoon. A witness saw him get out of the truck and fire a gun into a field. When confronted by Deputies, Bauer, who said he’d gotten out of jail just hours said He’d gotten into an argument. Deputies found a loaded .38-caliber revolver in the area. Bauer told deputies the gun was his and he’d fired it because he was angry.

A LAKE COUNTY RESTAURATEUR WAS KILLED WHEN A DRIVER PULLED IN FRONT ON HIS MOTORCYCLE ON HIGHWAY 29 FRIDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, 57 YEAR OLD ZINO MEZOUI, THE OWNER OF ZINOS RISTORANTE AND INN IN KELSEYVILLE WAS TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND ON HIGHWAY 29 WHEN A BLUE CHEVY SUBURBAN PULLED IN FRONT OF HIM FROM SEIGLER CANYON ROAD AT 10:17 AM. MEZOUI STUCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OF THE SUBURBAN. HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WHERE HE LATER DIED OF HIS INJURIES. THE SUBURBAN FLED THE SCENE, WESTBOUND ON SEIGLER CANYON ROAD. AUTHORITIES ARE WORKING TO IDENTIFY AND LOCATE THE DRIVER. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH IS CONTINUING.

FATAL DUI CRASH JKB 9/23/10

A 52 YEAR OLD WOMAN WAS KILLED BY AN ALLEGED DRUNK DRIVER ON HIGHWAY 20 JUST WEST OF SCOTTS VALLEY ROAD FRIDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, THE WOMAN, WHOS NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED, WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND WHEN AN SUV, DRIVEN BY ANTON KLOIBER OF PIERCY CROSSED THE CENTERLINE WHILE ROUNDING A CURVE AND STRUCK HER HEAD ON AT 10:38 AM. KLOIBERS VEHICLE CONTINUED WESTBOUND AND COLLIDED INTO THE LEFT REAR OF A PICK UP TRUCK THAT WAS ALSO TRAVELING EASTBOUND. NEITHER KLOIBER NOR THE DRIVER OF THE PICK UP WAS INJURED. THE WOMAN DIED AT THE SCENE. KLOIBER WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL FOR GROSS VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER WHILE INTOXICATED AND DUI.

FIREFIGHTER INJURED BODEGA BAY BLAZE JKB 9/27/10

A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER WAS SEVERELY INJURED WHEN HE CAME IN CONTACT WITH A DOWNED POWER LINE WHILE BATTLING A WILDFIRE IN BODEGA BAY OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE FIREFIGHTER SUFFERED ELECTRICAL SHOCK AND SUBSEQUENT BURNS. HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO A BAY AREA BURN CENTER FOR TREATMENT. HE WAS LISTED IN STABLE BUT SERIOUS CONDITION AS OF SUNDAY NIGHT. THE BLAZE, WHICH BEGAN JUST AFTER 12:30 PM SATURDAY, BLACKENED 98 ACRES AND DESTROYED TWO VEHICLES AND AN OUTBUILDING BEFORE BEING BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.

FIRE THREATENS HOMES JKB 9/27/10

A FIRE THAT BROKE OUT NEAR LAKESHORE BLVD AND RAINBOW ROAD DESTROYED AN OUTBUILDING AND BRIEFLY THREATENED SOME HOMES FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

THE BLAZE WAS REPORTED JUST BEFORE 5 PM AND BLACKENED VEGETATION NEAR THE ROAD AND THEN HEADED UP THE HILL TOWARDS A GROUP OF HOMES. QUICK ACTION BY FIREFIGHTERS HAD THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL WITHIN AN HOUR. ONE OUTBUILDING WAS LOST, BUT NO DAMAGE TO ANY OF THE HOMES WAS REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

MAN ARRESTED FOR THREATS WITH KNIFE JKB 9/27/10

AN ALBION AREA TRANSIENT MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY THREATENING A MAN WITH A KNIFE ON FRIDAY.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, 48 YEAR OLD ERIK BAKARICH OF ALBION WAS WALKING HIS DOG ON ALBION RIDGE ROAD WHEN HE WAS CONFRONTED 58 YEAR OLD MICHAEL ZUCHOWICZ JUST BEFORE 7 PM. ZUCHAWOCZ ALLEGEDLY EXICTED HIS VEHICLE AND BRANDISHED A KNIFE, STATING HE WAS GOING TO KILL HIM. HE THEN RAN AFTER BAKARICH WHO FLED. ZUCHOWICZ EVENTUALLY ABANDONED THE PURSUIT AND LEFT WHEN BAKARICH TRIED TO FLAG DOWN PASSING MOTORISTS FOR HELP. ZUCHOWICZ WAS ARRESTED THE NEXT DAY AFTER DEPUTIES RECEIVED INFORMATION ABOUT HIS WHEREABOUTS. HE ADMITTED TO TRYING TO SCARE THE VICTIM, BUT DENIED USING A KNIFE, DESPITE BEING FOUND IN POSSESSION OF A KNIFE MATCHING THE DESCRIPTION OF ONE GIVEN BY THE VICTIM. HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL FOR ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON AND MAKING CRIMINAL THREATS.

MENDO COUNTY DEBT HIGHEST IN STATE JKB 9/27/109

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, MENDOCINO HAS THE HIGHEST DEBT PER CAPITA OF ALL 58 COUNTIES IN THE STATE.

AUTHORITIES SAY PENSION OBLIGATION BONDS ARE THE REASON THAT MENDOCINO COUNTYS DEBT IS CALCULATED AT $1,555 PER PERSON. ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, OF THE 20 COUNTIES WITH THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA DEBT IN THE STATE, 17 HAD PENSION OBLIGATION BONDS THAT TURNED LIABILITY INTO DEBT.

JURY ACQUITS DOCTOR JKB 9/27/10

A JURY TOOK JUST OVER AN HOUR TO FIND DR. COREY WARNER OF HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE NOT GUILTY OF SEXUAL BATTERY.

DR. WARNER WAS ARRESTED JUNE 10TH FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF A YEAR LONG INVESTIGATION AFTER A FEMALE PATIENT ALLEGED THAT HE GAVE HER A BREAST EXAM AND THRUST HIS PELVIS AGAINST HER WHEN SHE WENT TO SEE HIM AFTER BEING THROWN FROM A HORSE IN JULY OF 2009. THE JURY REPORTEDLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH INCONSISTENCIES IN THE ALLEGED VICTIMS TESTIMONY AND DID NOT BELIEVE THE PROSECUTION PROVED ITS CASE. DR. WARNER WAS ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES.

POT PROCESSING FACILITY DISCOVERED JKB 9/27/10\

MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPUTIES ARRESTED 19 PEOPLE WHEN THEY STUMBLED UPON A LARGE COMMERCIAL MARIJUANA PROCESSING FACILITY.

DEPUTIES WERE ASSISTING THE CHP IN A FOOT PURSUIT INVOLVING A STOLEN VEHICLE CONTAINING 3 SUSPECTS AT AROUND 2 PM WHEN THEY ENDED UP AT PACOS PAINTING IN A LARGE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING CHRISTY LANE. THERE OFFICERS DISCOVERED A 30 BY 60 FOOT BUILDING FULL OF HANGING AND PROCESSED MARIJUANA. POLICE SEIZED CLOSE TO 700 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA AND ARRESTED 19 SUSPECTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 19 AND 57 THAT WERE WORKING PROCESSING THE WEED FOR SALE. MANY OF THE SUSPECTS ARE BEING HELD ON IMMIGRATION HOLDS. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE OPERATION IS CONTINUING.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, THE INCIDENT BEGAN WHEN A CAR DRIVEN BY 57 YEAR OLD JEANINE ABBOT OF WILLITS SLOWED AND STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AT YORK CREEK AT 7:50 AM. HER CAR WAS REAR-ENDED BY 55 YEAR OLD LILLIE DELOSSANTOS OF REDWOOD VALLEY WHEN SHE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY 38 YEAR OLD GEORGIA HOAGLEN OF WILLITS. HOAGLEN WAS THEN HIT BY 37 YEAR OLD DAWN SCOTT OF UKIAH. THE FORCE OF THAT IMPACT PUSHED HAGLENS VEHICLE INTO THE BACK OF DELOSSANTOS CAR A 2ND TIME. ONLY DELOSSANTOS SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE ACCIDENT WAS CLEARED BY 8:30.

SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT JKB 9/24/10

A LAKE COUNTY WOMAN WAS LUCKY TO ESCAPE WITH ONLY MINOR INJURIES WHEN HER CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE NEAR UPPER LAKE THURSDAY NIGHT.

THE CRASH OCCURRED JUST AFTER 10:30 PM SEVERAL MILES UP ELK MOUNTAIN ROAD, JUST NORTH OF THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE RANGER STATION. 26 YEAR OLD KARA SNOW WAS ABLE TO REMOVE HERSELF FROM THE BADLY DAMAGED VEHICLE AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL. THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

FORT BRAGG SELECTS INTERIM POLICE CHIEF JKB 9/24/10

THE CITY OF FORT BRAGG HAS SELECTED A VETERAN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND EXPERIENCED INTERIM POLICE CHIEF TO FILL THE POST LEFT BEHIND BY FORMER CHIEF MARK PUTHUFF WHILE THE CITY LOOKS FOR A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT.

STEPHEN WILLIS WILL PROVIDE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANCE AND SERVE AS A MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT TO THE DEPARTMENT UNTIL THE PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS ARE COMPLETED. HE WILL THEN SERVE AS THE INTERIM POLICE CHIEF UNTIL A REPLACEMENT IS FOUND, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS. WILLIS HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, INCLUDING 33 YEARS WITH THE SAUSALITO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND SERVED AS THE INTERIM POLICE CHIEF FOR THE CITIES OF CLOVERDALE, HEALDSBURG, SONOMA, AND SEASIDE. HE ALSO SERVED AS AN INTERIM POLICE CHIEF IN FORT BRAGG FOR 6 MONTHS IN 2006.

SUMMER HEAT TO RETURN JKB 9/24/10

EVEN THOUGH FALL IS OFFICIALLY HERE, THE SUMMER HEAT IS EXPECTED TO RETURN THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND INTO NEXT WEEK.

A HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE AND DESERT AIR FROM THE SOUTHWEST IS EXPECTED TO RAISE TEMPERATURES ACROSS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR THE NEXT WEEK OR SO. DAYTIME HIGHS IN THE UKIAH AREA WILL BE IN THE MID 90S TODAY, THE UPPER 90S TOMORROW, AND THE LOW 100S ON SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. WINE GRAPE GROWERS ARE HAPPY WITH THE TURN IN THE WEATHER AND SAY THE HEAT SPELL WILL HELP BRING IN A DELAYED HARVEST BY RIPENING GRAPES AND DRYING UP BUNCH ROT THAT OCCURRED IN SOME VINEYARDS DUE TO EARLIER RAINS.

STATE BUDGET EDGES CLOSED TO A DEAL JKB 9/24/10

ACCORDING TO A SPOKESPERSON FOR GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, THE FRAMEWORK OF AN AGREEMENT FOR A STATE BUDGET HAS BEEN REACHED.

TOP LEGISLATORS HAVE ALSO INDICATED THE POSSIBLE ACQUISITION OF A BUDGET THAT CURRENTLY SITS WITH A $19.1 BILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT. IF AN AGREEMENT IS REACHED, IT WOULD END THE LONGEST BUDGET IMPASSES IN MODERN STATE HISTORY, ALREADY 84 DAYS INTO THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.

EDDIE FISHER DIES JKB 9/24/10

ONE OF THEMOST POPULAR SINGERS OF THE 1950S HAS DIED.

FISHER DIED AT A HOSPITAL IN BERKLEY WEDNESDAY OF COMPLICATIONS FROM HIP SURGERY. FISHER SOLD MILLIONS OF RECORDS, HAD HIS OWN TELEVISION SHOW AND HIGH PROFILE MARRIAGES TO HOLLYWOOD STARLETS DEBBIE REYNOLDS, ELIZABETH TAYLOR AND CONNIE STEVENS. FISHER HAS TWO STARS ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME, ONE FOR RECORDING AND ONE FOR TELEVISION. HE WAS 82.

4 DEAD IN SEATTLE AREA SHOOTING JKB 9/24/10

5 PEOPLE WERE SHOT, 4 OF THEM FATALLY, AT A SEATTLE, WASHINGTON HOME YESTERDAY.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, A RELATIVE OF SOME OF THE VICTIMS WHO WAS NOT IN THE HOUSE AT THE TIME OF THE SHOOTING, BELIEVED THAT A 59 YEAR OLD WOMAN, WHO WAS THE MOTHER OF SOME OF THE VICTIMS, COMMITTED THE CRIME. ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE DEAD INCLUDE TWO FEMALES BELIEVED TO BE IN THEIR LATE TEENS, A MALE BELIEVED TO BE IN HIS 30S AND THE WOMAN BELIEVED TO BE THE SHOOTER. ALL OF THE VICTIMS ARE RELATED.

AVANDIA WILL STAY ON MARKET JKB 9/24/10

THE CONTROVERSIAL DIABETES DRUG AVANDIA WILL STAY ON THE MARKET IN THE U.S., BUT WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THOSE PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES WHO CANNOT CONTROL THEIR ILLNESS WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS.

THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION IMPLEMENTED THE RESTRICTIONS BASED ON STUDIES SHOWING AN INCREASED RISK OF SERIOUS HEART PROBLEMS, INCLUDING HEART ATTACK AND STROKES IN PATIENTS TAKING AVANDIA. THE EUROPEAN EQUIVALENT OF THE FDA ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THE DRUG WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE EUROPEAN MARKET.

WOMAN EXECUTED IN VIRGINIA JKB 9/24/10

THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE EXECUTED IN THE UNITED STATES IN MORE THAN 5 YEARS, AND THE FIRST TO BE EXECUTED IN THE STATE A VIRGINIA IN NEARLY A CENTURY, WAS PUT TO DEATH BY LETHAL INJECTION LAST NIGHT.

41 YEAR OLD TERESA LEWIS, WHO PLEADED GUILTY IN THE 2002 TO THE MURDER FOR HIRE SLAYINGS OF HER HUSBAND AND STEPSON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT 9:13 PM EASTERN TIME. DEATH PENALTY OPPONENTS ARGUED THAT LEWIS SHOULD NOT BE PUT TO DEATH FOR THE MURDER CONSPIRACY, SINCE THE TWO TRIGGER MEN IN THE CRIME WERE GIVEN LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE. THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DENIED A STAY OF EXECUTION ON TUESDAY, AS DID VIRGINIA STATE GOVERNOR BOB MCDONNELL YESTERDAY.

THE DEATH TOLL FROM THE SAN BRUNO NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION AND FIRE ROSE TO 7 YESTERDAY AS AUTHORITIES CONFIRMED THE IDENTITIES OF 3 FAMILY MEMBERS WHOS REMAINS WERE FOUND IN THE CHARRED RUINS OF THEIR HOME.

INVESTIGATORS USED DNA TO IDENTIFY 85 YEAR OLD LAVONEE BULLIS, HER 50 YEAR OLD SON GREGORY BULLIS AND HER GRANDSON, 17 YEAR OLD WILLIAM JAMES BULLIS. THE THREE HAD BEEN LISTED AS MISSING SINCE THE SEPTEMBER 9TH BLAST. 4 OTHER PEOPLE DIED IN THE EXPLOSION. 4 PEOPLE REMAIN HOSPITALIZED. THREE OF THEM ARE IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

LAKE COUNT D.A. REPORTS ON OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING JKB 9/23/10

THE LAKE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO FILE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST DEPUTY FRANCISCO RIVERO, WHOSE GUN DISCHARGED DURING A DOMESTIC DISPUTE CALL IN FEBRUARY OF 2008.

RIVERO AND ANOTHER DEPUTY WERE CONFRONTING A MAN WHO REPORTEDLY HAD MENTAL ISSUES INSIDE HIS EX-GIRLFRIENDS HOME AND REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH THEIR DEMANDS TO DROP A LARGE CAN OF PEPPER SPRAY AND A LIGHTER HE WAS HOLDING. HE THEN ALLEGEDLY MADE AN AGGRESSIVE GESTURE AND RIVERO FIRED ONE SHOT, WHICH MISSED THE MAN AND LODGED INTO A DOOR FRAME. D.A. INVESTIGATORS SAY DETERMINING THE EXACT CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE GUN WAS FIRED HAS BEEN COMPLICATED BY THE MENTAL HISTORY OF THE MALE SUBJECT THEY WERE TRYING TO ARREST. BASED ON AVAILABLE EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY OF THOSE INVOLVED, DEPUTY RIVERO WAS JUSTIFIED IN FIRING HIS WEAPON IN SELF DEFENSE, AND THE FIRING OF THE WEAPON APPEARS TO BE FREE OF CRIMINAL INTENT. DEPUTY RIVERO IS CURRENTLY RUNNING FOR THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

DRUG BUST JKB 9/23/10

A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY LED TO THE ARREST OF A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAN ON DRUG CHARGES.

A CHP OFFICER PULLED OVER 33 YEAR OLD IAN CHARLES MASON OF JAMUL CALIFORNIA FOR TALKING ON A CELL PHONE TUESDAY. MASON SHOWED SIGNS OF INTOXICATION AND WAS ARRESTED FOR DUI. A SEARCH OF HIS VEHICLE TURNED UP 55 POUNDS OF MANICURED MARIJUANA IN 1 POUND BAGS, AND CLOSE TO $122,000 IN CASH. MASON WAS BOOKED INTO THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY JAIL ON A NUMBER OF POSSESSION AND TRANSPORTATION CHARGES FOR SALE, AS WELL AS DUI.

HAMBURG INVESTIGATED FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS JKB 9/23/10

MENDOCINO COUNTY 5TH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR CANDIDATE DAN HAMBURG IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION FOR THE POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING RULES.

THE COMMISSION IS ACTING ON A COMPLAINT FILED BY RETIRED JUDGE WILLIAM MASTERSON, WHO IS A SUPPORTER OF HAMBURGS OPPONENT WENDY ROBERTS. THE COMPLAINT INCLUDES ALLEGATIONS THAT HAMBURG FAILED TO REPORT NON-MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS, DID NOT RETURN CONTRIBUTIONS OF MORE THAN $100 WHEN THE CONTRIBUTORS FAILED TO LIST AN OCCUPATION AND EMPLOYER, FAILED TO FULLY ITEMIZE EXPENDITURES AND FAILED TO REPORT CUMULATIVE TOTALS OF CONTRIBUTIONS FROM A SINGLE SOURCE, AS WELL AS OTHER VIOLATIONS. HAMBURG SAYS THE COMPLAINT IS AN EXAMPLE OF CAMPAIGN DIRTY TRICKS AND HARASSMENT BY ONE OF ROBERTS SUPPORTERS. HE ALSO STATED HIS CAMPAIGN BOOKKEEPER IS SEEKING GUIDANCE FROM THE FPPC.

REAL ESTATE AGENT PLEADS GUILTY IN POT HOUSES JKB 9/23/10

A REAL ESTATE AGENT FROM MILPITAS PLEADED GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO CONSPIRING TO COMMIT MAIL FRAUD IN CONNECTION WITH THE PURCHASE OF 4 HOMES IN FRESNO AND 1 IN WILLITS USED TO GROW MARIJUANA.

60 YEAR OLD MONIQUE LE NGUYEN ADMITTED TO HELPING 5 ALLEGED CO-DEFENDANTS FRAUDULENTLY PURCHASE THE 5 PROPERTIES USING 100% FINANCING FOR MORE THAN $2 MILLION DOLLARS. SHE COULD NOW FACE UP TO 30 YEARS IN STATE PRISON, A FINE OF UP TO $1 MILLION DOLLARS, AND BE REQUIRED TO PAY MORE THAN $600,000 IN RESTITUTION TO LENDERS THAT LOST MONEY WHEN THE PROPERTIES WENT INTO FORECLOSURE. SHE WILL BE SENTENCED IN NOVEMBER. HER 5 ALLEGED CO-CONSPIRATORS HAVE ALL PLEADED NOT GUILTY AND WILL FACE TRIAL IN FEDERAL COURT IN FEBRUARY.

WORK BEGINS ON WILLITS SEWER PLANT JKB 9/23/10

WORK HAS FINALLY BEGUN ON THE NEW WILLITS SEWER TREATMENT PLANT.

THE C. OVERAA AND COMPANY BEGAN WORK ON THE PLANT LAST WEEK AN HOPES TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE MAJOR RAINY SEASON. MOST OF THE $11.1 MILLION DOLLAR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE NEXT YEAR WITH THE CONTRACT REQUIRING SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION BY DECEMBER OF 2011.

UKIAH BUILDING HEIGHT TO BE DISCUSSED AT MEETING JKB 9/23/10

THE AIRPORT LAND USE COMMISSION WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY TO CONSIDER A REQUEST BY THE CITY OF UKIAH TO ALLOW 3 STORY BUILDINGS IN THE PERKINS STREET CORRIDOR.

CITY OFFICIALS MADE THE REQUEST TO ACCOMMODATE THE PROPOSED NEW COURTHOUSE SLATED TO BE BUILT AT ONE OF TWO LOCATIONS OFF PERKINS STREET AND TO BE INCLUDED IN A NEW SET OF ZONING REGULATIONS BEING PROPOSED FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA. CURRENTLY BUILDINGS DOWNTOWN ARE LIMITED TO 2 STORIES. MONDAYS MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR 2 PM AT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAMBERS ON LOW GAP ROAD.

MISSING DISPATCHER FOUND JKB 9/23/10

GEORGIA STATE AUTHORITIES SAY THE REMAINS OF A MISSING 911 DISPATCHER THAT GARNERED NATIONAL ATTENTION, HAVE BEEN FOUND 3 AND A HALF YEARS AFTER SHE DISAPPEARED.

THERESA PARKER, WHO WAS 41 AT THE TIME, WAS LAST SEEN LEAVING HER SISTERS HOUSE IN MARCH OF 2007. SHE WORKED AS AN EMERGENCY DISPATCHER FOR WALKER COUNTY. A FARMER IN NEIGHBORING CHATTOOGA COUNTY FOUND A JAWBONE ON MONDAY. USING DENTAL RECORDS OFFICIALS CONFIRMED IT TO BE PARKERS YESTERDAY. SAM PARKER, THERESAS HUSBAND AND A FORMER POLICE SERGEANT WAS CONVICTED LAST YEAR OF HER MURDER, EVEN THOUGH HER BODY HAD NOT YET BEEN FOUND. SO FAR, NO OFFICIAL CAUSE OF DEATH HAS BEEN DETERMINED.

SIMILAC INFANT FORMULA RECALL JKB 9/23/10

ABBOT LABORATORIES ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THEY HAVE ISSUED A RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 5 MILLION CANS OF CERTAIN SIMILAC-BRAND POWDERED INFANT FORMULA DUE TO BUG CONTAMINATION.

THE PRESENCE OF A SMALL COMMON BEETLE WAS FOUND IN THE PRODUCT PRODUCED AT A MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN STURGIS, MICHIGAN. AUTHORITIES SAY INGESTION OF THE BEETLE COULD CAUSE DISCOMFORT AND IRRITATE THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, CAUSING INFANTS TO LOSE APPETITE. THE COMPANY HAS STOPPED PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT OF THE AFFECTED FORMULA AND CONTACTED THE FDA TO INITIATE THE RECALL. THE RECALL INCLUDES CERTAIN SIMILAC POWDER PRODUCT LINES THAT COM IN 8 OZ. 12.4 OZ AND 12.9 OZ. CANS. ABBOTT LIQUID FORMULA IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.

A WOMAN WHO WAS KILLED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION ON HIGHWAY 101 NORTH OF WILLITS SUNDAY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 21 YEAR OLD ROBERTA LYNN GAULT OF WILLITS.

GAULT WAS ON HER WAY HOME FORM THE EARTHDANCE FESTIVAL IN LAYTONVILLE WHEN, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, CROSSED THE CENTERLINE AND DROVE DIRECTLY INTO THE PATH OF AN SUV, DRIVEN BY 37 YEAR OLD DANA FRONEBERGER OF UKIAH AT AROUND 7 PM. GAULT DIED AT THE SCENE. FRONEBERGER SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO HOWARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT JKB 9/22/10

A CALPELLA MAN WAS INJURED WHEN HE COLLIDED WITH A TREE OFF HIGHWAY 175 YESTERDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, 75 YEAR OLD HARRY BROWN WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND WHEN HIS CAR LEFT THE ROADWAY FOR UNKNOWN REASONS AND HIT THE TREE JUST AFTER 6 AM. HE WAS TAKEN TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF MODERATE INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

3 INJURED IN COLLISION JKB 9/22/10

THREE PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION ON HIGHWAY 20 NEAR NICE LAST NIGHT.

INVESTIGATORS SAY A PICK UP TRUCK HEADING WESTBOUND AND TOWING A SMALL TRAILER PULLED DIRECTLY INTO THE PATH OF AN EASTBOUND TOYOTA LANDCRUISER WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO LAKESHORE BLVD. AT AROUND 6:30 PM. ONE PERSON FROM THE LAND CRUISER WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH MAJOR INJURIES. ANOTHER PERSON IN THE SAME VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL. ONE PERSON FROM THE PICK UP TRUCK WAS ALSO TAKEN TO SUTTER LAKESIDE. A 4TH PERSON REFUSED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

MENDO BOARD HONORS ALLMAN JKB 9/22/10

THE MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HONORED SHERIFF TOM ALLMAN AT THEIR MEETING YESTERDAY, CALLING HIM A HERO FOR AN ACT OF BRAVERY.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A PROCLAMATION COMMENDING SHERIFF ALLMAN FOR AN ACT OF HEROISM IN HIS ATTEMPTS TO PULL 36 YEAR OLD JENNIFER AIKMAN FROM HER BURNING VEHICLE ON AUGUST 11TH OF LAST YEAR. AIKMAN LATER DIED OF HER INJURIES, WHILE ALLMAN SUFFERED 2ND DEGREE BURNS TO HIS HANDS AND ARMS. HEIDI DICKERSON OF CONGRESSMAN MIKE THOMPSONS OFFICE ALSO PRESENTED HIM WITH A CERTIFICATE OF SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION FOR OUTSTANDING AND INVALUABLE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. ALLMAN HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO RECEIVE THE GOVERNORS PUBLIC SAFETY MEDAL OF VALOR AT A CEREMONY IN SACRAMENTO NEXT WEEK, AND THE MEDAL OF VALOR FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE FIREMANS ASSOCIATION NEXT MONTH.

TWO NEW VESSELS FOR LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS JKB 9/22/10

LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF RODNEY MITCHELL ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THE ADDITION OF TWO NEW VESSELS TO THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT MARINE PATROL FLEET.

THE NEW VESSELS ARE A 2009 YAMAHA VX 1100 PERSONAL WATERCRAFT, AND A 2011 ALUMAWELD STERNDRIVE BOAT WITH AN 8.2 LITER MOTOR. THE VESSELS, ALONG WITH TRAILERS WERE PURCHASED WITH $91,500 IN GRANT FUNDING AWARDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF BOATING AND WATERWAYS. THE WATERCRAFT WILL BE USED TO PATROL CLEARLAKE, LAKE PILLSBURY, BLUE LAKES, AND THE NAVIGABLE AREAS OF CACHE CREEK.

LAKE COUNTY BOS APPROVE PURCHASE OF LUCERNE HOTEL JKB 9/22/10

THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF THE HISTORIC LUCERNE HOTEL AT THEIR MEETING YESTERDAY.

THE BOARD, SITTING AS THE COUNTYS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, APPROVED THE $1.35 MILLION DOLLAR PURCHASE PRICE FROM CASTLEPOINT MINISTRIES, WHICH HAS USED THE PROPERTY FOR A CHRISTIAN YOUTH CAMP AND RETREAT. THE BUILDING HAS SAT MOSTLY EMPTY SINCE IT WAS PUT UP FOR SALE IN 2008. THE 81 YEAR OLD, 75,000 SQUARE FOOT HISTORIC HOTEL NEEDS APPROXIMATELY $367,000 IN IMMEDIATE REPAIRS, MOST OF WHICH WILL GO TO REPLACE ABOUT HALF OF THE ROOF. THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BUDGET INCLUDES $300,000 FOR RENOVATIONS, WITH THE ADDITIONAL $67,000 EXPECTED TO COME FROM A FUND FOR OTHER REDEVELOPMENT PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS. ACCORDING TO COUNTY OFFICIALS, THE PURCHASE OF THE HOTEL HAD WIDESPREAD COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

POTENTIAL STIES FOR NEW COURTHOUSE ANNOUNCED JKB 9/22/10

THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THEY HAVE NARROWED THE POSSIBLE LOCATION OF THE NEW UKIAH COURTHOUSE DOWN TO TWO POTENTIAL SITES.

ONE POSSIBLE SITE IS THE RAILROAD DEPOT ON WEST PERKINS STREET THE OTHER IS A SITE NEAR THE LIBRARY, BORDERED BY PERKINS, MAIN AND MASON STREETS. THE TWO POTENTIAL SITES WERE NARROWED DOWN FROM A FIELD OF 16 POSSIBLE LOCATIONS CONSIDERED. THE PROPOSED COURT HOUSE PROJECT WILL HOUSE 9 COURTROOMS AND COST JUST SHORT OF $120 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD.

SC SCHOOL TO REOPEN AFTER THREAT JKB 9/22/10

SOCASTEE HIGH SCHOOL NEAR MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA WILL REOPEN TODAY, A DAY AFTER A STUDENT OPENED FIRE ON A SCHOOL POLICE OFFICER AND BOMB SQUADS DISMANTLED AN UNSPECIFIED NUMBER OF POSSIBLY EXPLOSIVE DEVICES.

THE SCHOOL WAS EVACUATED DURING THE INCIDENT AND THE DEVICES WERE FOUND SEVERAL HOURS AFTER THE SHOOTING. AN UNIDENTIFIED MALE STUDENT OPENED FIRE WITH A HANDGUN WHILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE SCHOOL POLICE OFFICER AT AROUND 2 PM EASTERN TIME. THE OFFICER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES FROM SHRAPNEL WHEN THE BULLET STRUCK A WALL. THE STUDENT WAS ARRESTED. BOMB DETECTING K-9 UNITS WERE USED TO FIND SUSPICIOUS DEVICES IN THE SCHOOL. INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING INTO A TWITTER ACCOUNT CONTAINING SUSPICIOUS POSTS. NO OTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE INCIDENT HAVE BEEN RELEASED.

11 YEAR OLD BABY SITTER CHARGED WITH MURDER JKB 9/22/10

AN 11 YEAR OLD BABY SITTER IN SUBURBAN ATLANTA, GEORGIA HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN THE DEATH OF A 2 YEAR OLD CHILD THAT WAS IN HER CARE.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE BABY SITTER IS THE DAUGHTER OF A CO-WORKER OF THE VICTIMS MOTHER. THE MOTHER OF THE 2 YEAR OLD CALLED 911 FROM THE BABY SITTERS HOME AFTER RETURNING TO PICK UP THE CHILD ON SATURDAY. AN AUTOPSY INDICATED THE TODDLER SUFFERED BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA TO HER HEAD, TORSO, AND BUTTOCKS. THE 11 YEAR OLD TOLD AUTHORITIES THE CHILD HAD FALLEN OUT OF BED. SHE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY YESTERDAY AND CHARGED. IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE CASE WILL BE HANDLED BY JUVENILE AUTHORITIES.

MURKOWSKI TO LOOSE POST JKB 9/22/10

AFTER LOSING TO A REPUBLICAN RIVAL IN LAST WEEKS PRIMARY, SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE EXPECTED TO STRIP ALASKA SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI OF HER POST AS RANKING REPUBLICAN ON THE SENATE ENERGY COMMITTEE.

THEY WILL ALSO VOTE TO ELECT A REPLACEMENT FOR HER IN THE LEADERSHIP. SHE RESIGNED FRIDAY AS VICE CHAIR OF THE SENATE GOP CONFERENCE. MURKOWSKI HAS VOWED TO RUN AS A WRITE IN CANDIDATE IN NOVEMBER AGAINST HER REPUBLICAN RIVAL JOE MILLER AND DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE SCOTT MCADAMS.

9 KILLED IN TERRORIST ATTACK IN IRAN JKB 9/22/10

NINE PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND MORE THAN 20 WOUNDED IN WHAT IRANIAN AUTHORITIES ARE CALLING A TERRORIST ATTACK IN THE NORTHWESTER CITY MAHABAD WEDNESDAY.

AN EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE AT THE SCENE OF A MILITARY PARADE AND ALMOST ALL OF THE VICTIMS WERE WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THE PARADE WAS IN HONOR OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE COUNTYS WAR WITH IRAQ IN 1980 THAT LASTED 8 YEARS AND CLAIMED A HALF MILLION LIVES. NO GROUP HAS YET CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK.